Restaurants

Hon 10

Japanese   |   $ $ $ $   |   Admiralty

Pacific Place’s latest opening delivers an art-themed setting and fresh approach to casual Japanese fare

 

Completing the list of new restaurant openings at the Pacific Place after Commissary, Apinara, Bizou , and Dim Sum Library, Hon 10 offers contemporary Japanese fare with an art-themed setting. Guests entering the space are welcomed by a short but well-stocked bar, followed by the adjacent sushi bar before entering a round dining area. Contemporary pieces of art work by new Japanese artists are displayed in the main dining room. Soft lighting and raw concrete walls bring a new industrial vibe to the space. We recommend the booth seating at the far end of the space, where tables are evenly spaced and well-lit for a better view of the establishment’s interior.

Opened in March 2017, the menu of Hon 10 spans across different disciplines of the Japanese repertoire, from sashimi and sushi to grilled items and tempura. Selections for sashimi and nigiri sushi are standard but hold no surprises. The ‘international rolls’ section include some creative combinations beyond eel and avocado or the conventional California Roll. The spicy crab roll is a simple creation where crab meat is richly packed within the sushi roll, with a dab of Korean gochujang and julienned green onions scattered on each piece of sushi

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Sakura-smoked salmon with wasabi cream, the restaurant’s signature was served with crisp toast. The smokiness from the fish was too light, but the wasabi cream adds a spicy kick. Buffalo chicken was tart and spicy, although a crispier coating would do wonders.

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While tempuras are difficult to master, Hon 10’s sea urchin tempura with matcha salt was well-executed. A single shiso leaf wrapping creamy sea urchin and deep fried until golden. The batter coating was light and just a touch of matcha salt would add a richer profile to the golden morsel.

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Mains could take up to a half hour to arrive. The black cod saikyo-yaki was slightly too greasy and under-seasoned. The pork and ginger bun was generously filled and juicy throughout. Dessert selection at Hon 10 was modest. We enjoyed the red bean and banana spring roll with tofu ice cream, where the red bean paste was folded into ripe banana as the filling to the crisp roll.

Despite a vast selection of wines, spirits, and cocktails available at Hon 10, the offerings are on the generic side. With six wines on offer including both by-the-glass and bottle option, guests should look to cocktails to better pair with the food. Japanese Plum Whisky Highball featured muddled Japanese umeboshi plum with whisky and soda, whose sharp tartness pairs well with starters and even sashimi courses. The Oolong Chu-Hi (oolong tea with wheat shochu) is a cooling classic that cleans the palate well between richer mains.

Service is on point for Hon 10. The staff team at this casual Japanese eatery is friendly and attentive. The service staff occasionally check on the meal’s progress and offer assistance to adding orders with enthusiasm. There is room for improvement in wine and beverage pairing and background information.

A dinner for two including one cocktail each amounts to HK$910. Hon 10 is a convenient spot for casual Japanese in the area, though there is room to improve with unique offerings from its menus

General Information